US History Research Paper: A song that changed America Choose an important song from the period 1950-1975 that had political/social consequences. Research the history and impacts of the song and write an 4-5 page expository paper in which you explain the role this song had in United States history, culture, and politics. You will need to keep track of sources and cite them in your paper.
How did the song get created? (music and lyrics)
What are the musical and lyrical qualities of the song that made it have an impact.
What was the social/cultural/political context that helps explain why the song became important and well-known.
Impacts of the song: What did it mean to different audiences? How was it used? How did it affect America?
3. Be sure that you use at least 6 sources. Look for reputable sources which have well supported information, not just opinions. Do not use wikipedia as a source (though it may link to good sources.).
4. Be sure to include at least one periodical source and one book source (not your textbook). To search for periodicals, use Infohio.
To access Infohio from home: go to www.infohio.org. Click on “Core Collection.” Then “EBSCOhost.” Log in is “infohio” and password is “power” Click on “All database Search” Put in your search terms: include your song title and artist
5. Most students need more information on how their song was created: when it was written, what the circumstances of the artist were, etc. If your song has had multiple versions (such as the way that Negro Spirituals were reworked to be civil rights protest songs), be sure to explain that, too.
6. When analyzing the lyrics, treat it like you would a poem analysis in English class. Examine the use of language, word choice, meaning, etc., and quote the lines of the song.
7. When analyzing the music, describe the genre, structure of the song, tempo, use of instruments, style, type of vocals, etc.
8. The social/political historical context requires that you get specific information about the time period when your song was created. Not just “The Vietnam War was unpopular” or “The Civil Rights movement was happening.”
9. Keep in mind that the “Uses and Impacts of the song” section will include immediate impacts--reaction by the media, politicians, and activists, reviews by critics, popularity on the charts, etc. But it can also include uses of the song in the decades since then. For example “Change is Gonna Come” was sung at President Obama’s inauguration and “We Shall Overcome” has been redone many times, including as recently as 2010 to protest the Israeli blockade of Palestinians in Gaza.
10. Be sure that you cite always whenever you use a source for information. This includes paraphrasing a source as well as using exact quotations. Papers that are not cited thoroughly and/or are not in your own words will not get credit.
US History Research Paper: A song that changed America
Choose an important song from the period 1950-1975 that had political/social consequences. Research the history and impacts of the song and write an 4-5 page expository paper in which you explain the role this song had in United States history, culture, and politics. You will need to keep track of sources and cite them in your paper.
Outline Due April 23. Outline Template/Sample
Final Draft Due May 7.Link to Research Paper guidelines HERERolling Stone top 500 songsRock Hall of Fame LessonsMaking Sense of American Popular SongsNYT Learning Network-- Teaching with protest music
Turabian Style GuideShort Turabian Guide
1. Your paper outline is due Tuesday, April 23. Your final draft is due Tuesday, May 7. You may not use a Late Pass on it.
2. Use Turabian Style for formatting: Turabian Style Manual
3. Be sure that you use at least 6 sources. Look for reputable sources which have well supported information, not just opinions. Do not use wikipedia as a source (though it may link to good sources.).
4. Be sure to include at least one periodical source and one book source (not your textbook). To search for periodicals, use Infohio.
To access Infohio from home: go to www.infohio.org.
Click on “Core Collection.” Then “EBSCOhost.”
Log in is “infohio” and password is “power”
Click on “All database Search”
Put in your search terms: include your song title and artist
5. Most students need more information on how their song was created: when it was written, what the circumstances of the artist were, etc. If your song has had multiple versions (such as the way that Negro Spirituals were reworked to be civil rights protest songs), be sure to explain that, too.
6. When analyzing the lyrics, treat it like you would a poem analysis in English class. Examine the use of language, word choice, meaning, etc., and quote the lines of the song.
7. When analyzing the music, describe the genre, structure of the song, tempo, use of instruments, style, type of vocals, etc.
8. The social/political historical context requires that you get specific information about the time period when your song was created. Not just “The Vietnam War was unpopular” or “The Civil Rights movement was happening.”
9. Keep in mind that the “Uses and Impacts of the song” section will include immediate impacts--reaction by the media, politicians, and activists, reviews by critics, popularity on the charts, etc. But it can also include uses of the song in the decades since then. For example “Change is Gonna Come” was sung at President Obama’s inauguration and “We Shall Overcome” has been redone many times, including as recently as 2010 to protest the Israeli blockade of Palestinians in Gaza.
10. Be sure that you cite always whenever you use a source for information. This includes paraphrasing a source as well as using exact quotations. Papers that are not cited thoroughly and/or are not in your own words will not get credit.